Vancouver Whitecaps defender Alain Rochat eager to return to lineup

Bruce Constantineau, Vancouver Sun04.25.2012

Vancouver Whitecap Alain Rochat, the 29-year-old Quebec-born, Swiss-raised defender, has learned the value of patience in his career but misses the intense emotion of preparing for a game in the five weeks he's been sidelined with a knee strain.

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VANCOUVER — Alain Rochat has felt helpless the past five weeks, watching from the sidelines as his Vancouver Whitecaps teammates posted one win in four games.

“It's terrible when you watch on TV and the result doesn't come,” he said Wednesday. “You really want to jump on the field and help the guys.”

The talented Swiss/Canadian left back injured his left knee when he collided with D.C. United goakeeper Joe Willis last month and the knee strain has forced him to miss four games this season after missing just six games all last year.

But Rochat completed his first full training session with the team at Burnaby Lake on Wednesday and feels he's close to getting the green light to return to action.

His timing couldn't be better as the Caps will play nine games over the next four weeks if they defeat FC Edmonton in the Amway Canadian Championship semifinal series that begins next week.

The more healthy bodies coach Martin Rennie has to choose from, the better it will be for the club.

“I'd like to take one more week [off] instead of trying to force it and then be out for many weeks again,” Rochat said, indicating he might return for the game in Edmonton next week.

He hurt his right knee while playing for FC Zurich in the Swiss Super League two years ago and knows you have to be “very, very patient” when recovering from that kind of injury.

The 29-year-old Quebec-born, Swiss-raised defender has learned the value of patience in his career but misses the intense emotion of preparing for a game.

“I like going into a game and feeling the pressure with the guys,” he said. “You feel really bad in the stands because you can't do anything. I can't wait to be back.”

Rennie said Jordan Harvey has done a great job filling in for Rochat at left back during his absence so there hasn't been a huge “gaping hole” at the spot.

“But it will be nice to have Alain back as soon as possible,” he said. “He's a very good defender but he's also excellent on the ball and helps you build attacks from the back.”

Rochat assisted on the Caps' first goal this season, delivering a long ball against the Montreal Impact that was flicked on by Eric Hassli and collected by Sebastien Le Toux, who broke into the box and scored.

Rennie is confident his squad is deep enough to perform well during the hectic playing schedule that begins Saturday in Columbus (4:30 p.m., 1410 AM).

“Now is a good test for everybody and a lot of people will get a chance to play over the next little while,” he said. “I don't even know what the first team is right now. There's a lot of guys that can be first-team players and that gives us a good opportunity to change [the roster].”

Starting goalkeeper Joe Cannon feels every player on the squad is very aware of his role, even if they haven't played yet, so they should do well when they get their chance to play soon.

“Even the younger guys that haven't seen a minute yet know what to do when they get out there,” he said.

Cannon isn't sure if he'll start every game over the next month.

“You don't want to ever expect to rest,” he said. “You have to prepare but I wouldn't be surprised if I did [rest at some point].”

SIDE KICKS: Canadian women's national team players Desiree Scott and Chelsea Buckland will join the Whitecaps women's team W-League roster, the club announced Wednesday. The pair are currently based in Vancouver with the national team's residency camp as they prepare for the 2012 Olympics in London this summer.

The club also announced the return of defender Nikki Ambrose and midfielder Erin Uchacz to the 2012 roster.

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